Registrars Could Be Forced to Perform Same-Sex Ceremonies, Says UK Equality Regulator
Registrars in the United Kingdom could be forced to oversee same-sex marriages. The Equality regulator stated that it would be an acceptable action to promote homosexuality throughout society should gay marriage legislation pass.
At issue are semantics, rather than substance. Robin Allen, a lawyer with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, previously told government officials that registrars would be forced to oversee such ceremonies if the definition of marriage is altered.
"All registrars of marriage are paid to work for the state in its various emanations to provide the service of conducting civil marriage ceremonies. The Bill redefines the concept of civil marriage," Allen told The Christian Institute.
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A former Member of Parliament warned of the adverse consequences of same-sex marriage and is advocating that laws be passed specifically for advocates of traditional marriage.
Edward Leigh is concerned with the possible treatment of those supporting traditional values should Prime Minister David Cameron and the British government pass new laws legalizing gay marriage.
"If the Government is successful in redefining marriage, then there are hundreds of thousands of teachers, parents, foster carers, or even hospital and army chaplains who could find themselves being disciplined for their beliefs, just as Adrian Smith was … to think otherwise is out of touch with reality." Leigh told The Christian Institute.
"If the Government is serious about protecting those who back the current definition of marriage from being marginalized for their beliefs then it must act immediately to change the Equality Act," Leigh added.
Politicians who are supporting redefining marriage had previously stated that measures would be taken to ensure that religious institutions would not be forced to act in conflict of their consciences, but there are no new protections for those outside of religious institutions who object on moral grounds.
"The EHRC is a quango with a track record for attacking, rather than defending the civil liberty of people who believe in traditional marriage, but even it recognizes that registrars will not be able exercise conscience in the future," Mike Judge, spokesman for Coalition for Marriage, said in a statement.
